A Struggle Within A Struggling Nation

[damien]

Within a nation (including the global diaspora) which has historically been at odds with and persecuted by its neighbours there is a significant number of Armenians, young and old who have been and still are persecuted by their own people.

I am speaking of gay men and lesbians, bi-sexual, trans-gender and generally sexually uncategorical people. The law in Armenia still deems it a crime to have a homosexual relationship and "offenders" face up to five years in gaol.

For those of us living outside Armenia, who still encounter discrimination and verbal and physical harassment on a daily basis (from people who wouldn't know us from a bar of soap!), the last thing we need is rejection, punishment or denial from the communities that profess to love us. Most of our churches denounce us as sinners, many of our families (though luckily not mine) deny our need to love another - some face excommunication as a consequence - and the Armenian community largely does not support our struggle for equal rights and a peaceful existence.

Apart from the integral nature of love and sexuality, another important facet of our identity which is often denied is our cultural heritage. One in ten people, INCLUDING ARMENIANS, identify as non-heterosexual. If the community that is meant to be nurturing our love of our culture and language rejects us, that is ten percent of young armenians who will no longer care about keeping those cultural and community ties. If ten percent of armo kids have nothing to do with their communities as each generation passes, eventually there will be no-one left to tell all those great stories about their armenian heritage. Make sense?

We are such a small nation, whether full-bred, half-bred, living at home or abroad, that we should all be able to find support and kindness within each other.

Happily there are associations appearing around the world which provide forums and meeting places for gay armos. Maybe any interested heteros out there could drop one of them a line and congratulate them for the work that they are doing because thay know what hard work it was to grow up gay AND Armenian.

Feel free to reply with any comments, but if you're just out to spread your hate, don't bother, you can't shock me.

Here's to love and romance for all boys and girls, no matter what team you bat for!!

Kind Regards,

Damien.

melbourne, australia.

[nairi]

That's all I do when I'm with gay Armenians. But you're right. Homosexuality, and sex in general, are still a big taboos among most Armenians. Hopefully your posts can bring us a step closer to breaking those taboos.

 

Either way, welcome to the community!

 

Nairi

[Sip]

Is that the politically correct term for geeks this day? Note to Azat: doesn't sound too bad, eh?

 

See that doesn't say much! Most churches denounce most people as sinners ... That statement indicates more that you are "accepted" as "normal" rather than "rejected" as outcasts. Yah, I do tend to look on the bright side of things most of the time.

 

My input is, life is tough and it is pointless. Relax, be who you are, say what you think, and if they oppress you or put you down, so be it. You'll be dead in no time and it'll all be over!!! Life is good (but pointless).

[-=VAHE=-]

Listen no one has to accept you just because your gay no one has to congratulate you on how you survived being gay. Churches dont accpet you because being Gay is a big sin . You cant be gay and be Christian. Remember buddy God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve. If you dont want to go by Gods way dont expect me to help you you out. Thats like assisting a Serial killer for there is no big or small Sin.

[Anahid Takouhi]

Sa el im kixi mech degh charets gay and lesbiens... just discusting YukkkkY

 

Don't get hurt gays and lesbiens, what r u doing is not encouraging, not normal and not beautiful, otherwise, nature was going to raise gay and lesbien trees, animals, fishes and mashrooms, but thanks God, he didn't

[TigrannesIII]

why do you gyotner think you have a place in the community?? you are going to hell, you are sinners, and you are disgusting. what you do is unnatural and wrong. God destroyed sodom and gomorah for a reason. You have no right to call yourself Armenian, as what you do is completely un-Armenian. please, just go away.

[Sip]

Ahahahahahah !!! Now we got the gays and lesbians of the world against poor Americans? Man, Americans just don't seem to get a break!!! Is EVERYTHING America's fault?

 

I think I'll start watching some Taliban or Iran TV ... oh no no ... actually maybe Iraqi TV to learn the REAL truth about gays and lesbians!!!!

 

But in all seriousness, first of all, welcome to the board. Second of all, I am definitely a hetero "white" male in the US and I certainly don't get any respect or love from anyone. I am actually very tired of the gays marching down the street everyday screaming their pride ... when do I get my to have my pride?

[Accelerated]

Damien, I really don't have much to say, except that I really am sorry for your condition, and unfortunatelly these days they can't cure it.

 

LMAO Jerry!Jerry!Jerry!Jerry!Jerry!....

[Sip]

Dude! you guys get crap that down-unda too? I am shocked!

[Accelerated]

Sure do, at the prime time of 12 o'clock in the afternoon . I am sure they broadcast to all English speaking countries and maybe even others too.

[Azat]

Tigrannes please clean the language in your post.

 

Damien good luck. I am sure it is not easy, but guess what life is a B*&^%. Nothing is easy. It is not just Armenian gays who are having a hard time. I know a couple(American) who get all kinds of crap from their own culture as well. I can imagine that it is much harder for someone who is Armenian. BTW: welcome to our forum.

 

Sip I am all with you. When can the white single male get a break.

 

Accelerated I just read in the paper about a week ago that the most popular TV show in France these days is Jerry Springer. And most French think that majority of the people in the Midwest are like the morons that appear on his show. (what they really don't know is that it is not the middle of America that are like that but the south. )

[nairi]

You guys think YOU'RE having a tough time?? What about premature single Armenian women??

 

Jerry's really popular in Holland as well. Dutch people tend to strongly identify themselves with the guests on the show

[damien]

Vahe G. and Hmayk,

It's great to see that your knowledge of God and Nature is so extensive!

Actually, God also created fags and dykes. What was he thinking that day?

...oh, and pansexuality has been well documented over hundreds of animal species. Maybe it's time to start watching less crap american TV and and maybe read a bit of non-fiction. You'll be amazed at how many "disgusting" things God put on this earth.

Yours in Christ,

damien.

[khodja]

It is because of the ignorance seen here in this forum, but which permeates society. I believe in honesty in a relationship. Becasue I may have had some experience with men, the early ones as a unsuspecting child, the later ones voluntarily, most women would not want to have anything to do with me. Before HIV arrived on the scene a number of women found my bi-sexuality exotic and were therefore more attracted to me. Now, if I am honest, they assume that I have contracted this disease. My ex-wife knew about my past experiences. She married odars in her first and third marriages. Her problems with me related to her relationship with her Armenian father. As odar as I am, it was these vestiges of my Armenianess that would enrage her.

[nairi]

Hagarag jan, you might as well stop breathing. God knows what you inhale every time you take a breath.

[TigrannesIII]

hagarag, why should we not dislike people for what they do? if i'm a nice guy, but a rapist, i should be hated. if you commit homosexual acts, you are to be ostracized for deviancy.

[khodja]

Tigranes III,

 

A rapist forcefully imposes themselves upon another. A paedophile imposes themselves upon a person who is too young to stand up for themselves. Almost all adults who pracitce homosexuality do so voluntarily. And what about persons such as myself who do not practice any homosexual acts? Why do you hate us also? Why don't you direct your anger at the "pillars of the community" who have violated children, as I once was? Instead you and your ilk are funding magnificent Cathedrals in Los Angeles.

[nairi]

You haven't tested positive, have you? If not, then let them assume whatever they want. Who are they to judge you anyway? I'm sure if you didn't worry so much you could find yourself a lovely partner (or two) and free yourself from your self-imposed celibacy.

[khodja]

Nairi,

 

Of course, I have not tested positive and I want to stay that way. There is so much ignorance out there.

[nairi]

Tigrannes, are you aware of the fact that homosexuality was prevalent under Tigran's rule? And did you know that Tigran himself was bisexual?

[nairi]

Hagarag jan, yes there is a lot of ignorance out there, but there's also a lot of exaggeration. It seems to me that you have taken the extreme and have become blind to the "natural" way of life. Sexual diseases have existed ever since the beginning of mankind. And so have cancer and pneumonia. Are you saying we should live our lives in clinics, very much like Michael Jackson (who wears mouth-pads, for Christ's sake!)?

[TigrannesIII]

i'd like to see some proof on that.... there's still shady info out there on Alexander, let alone Tigran Medz.

[khodja]

Tigrannes III,

 

Even if it is found that Tigran Medz was bi-sexual, that still leaves you off the hook, Tigrannes III, because Tigran Medz was a Jew. As for the more recent Armenian bi-sexuals most are members of the Armenian Church, with the exception of a few, such as the young doctor from the prominent Armenian family who died from AIDS, who were Armenian Evangelical or Catholic.

[TigrannesIII]

hagarag, take off the funny shades, Tigran Medz was pagan. And I'm off the hook no matter what, I'm not a f@g.

[nairi]

Tigrannes III, it is a well-established fact that pagans worshipped homosexuals.